Liverpool's Royal Albert Dock hosts water polo festival

Twelve teams from across England plunged into the waters off Liverpool’s Historic Royal Albert Dock on Saturday for the second MANUP! Water Polo Festival of 2019.

The event saw eight men’s teams and four women’s teams play non-stop, back to back games in soaring summer temperatures in a fantastic outdoor location.

MANUP! Water Polo Co-founder Craig Stowell said teams from Oxford, Durham and Loughborough Universities travelled to the event to participate, joining City of Birmingham, Bridgefield, Liverpool, Warrington, Chester, Tyldesley and Castleford.

Liverpool club Bridgefield narrowly beat last year’s Salford Quays MANUP! Water Polo competition winners Castleford in the men’s final, with City of Liverpool victorious against Tyldesley in the women’s final.

“The weather, music and competition all made for a brilliant day out for everyone,” Mr Stowell said.

Using inflatable Water Polo Packagoals and Packasigns supplied by sponsors Packaworld allowed the event to be “agile” and enabled the organisers to transport equipment efficiently at low cost and set up and break down quickly with minimal effort, he said.

Packaworld Chief Executive Peter Roberts said it was fantastic to see events like the MANUP! Water Polo Festival helping to lift the profile of the sport.

“I grew up in Liverpool so it was special to play a part in this one. It’s outstanding to see water polo being brought to picturesque and high-profile outdoor locations like Royal Albert Dock and I take my hat off to all of the event organisers.”

The next MANUP! event will be held at Media City, Salford Quays, Manchester, on Saturday 3 August.

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